As the spreading season approaches, the pressure is on to make every granule count. With rising input costs and tightening environmental regulations, getting it right is no longer just about a steady hand on the steering wheel it’s about leveraging technology to ensure precision.

At Grasstec Group and Vantage Ireland, we see firsthand how upgrading from basic manual guidance to advanced application control transforms a farm’s bottom line. Here’s how you can take control of your spreading this year using the PTx Trimble system.

Section and Rate Control

With manual guidance, your accuracy will improve helping you stay on the line. The real magic happens when you control how much is being applied and where.

  • Section Control: This technology automatically switches off sections of your spreader as you enter headlands or overlap with previously covered areas. This eliminates “double-dosing” in corners and prevents wasting fertiliser on hedges or roadways.

  • Rate Control (Variable Rate): Not every part of a field needs the same amount of nutrients. Rate control allows you to vary the application based on prescription maps or real-time needs, ensuring high-potential areas get what they need while saving costs on nutrient-rich zones.

The Bottom Line: By combining section and rate control, farmers typically see fertilizer savings of 5% to 10%, alongside significant yield improvements by reducing “lodging” caused by over-application.

Understanding the Language: ISOBUS vs. TUVR

To get your tractor talking to your spreader, you generally have two paths:

  1. ISOBUS: The “universal language” of modern farming. If your spreader is ISOBUS-ready, it plugs directly into your Trimble display. This removes the need for multiple boxes in the cab, allowing you to control the implement directly through the Universal Terminal (UT) and Task Controller (TC) on your GFX screen. If your spreader is ISOBUS but your tractor isn’t, we can retrofit ISOBUS to your tractor with our ISOBUS harness.

  2. TUVR (Universal Variable Rate): For older or non-ISOBUS spreaders, we offer TUVR/Serial Rate control. This allows the Trimble system to “talk” to the spreader’s own controller. It’s a fantastic way to bring precision to your existing machinery without needing to buy a brand-new ISOBUS-compatible spreader.

Choosing Your Hardware: GFX-350 vs. GFX-1060

Both displays run the intuitive, Android-based Precision-IQ software, making them easy to learn and swap between tractors.

Feature GFX-350 GFX-1060
Best For Entry-level precision & tight cabs Professional-grade power & complex tasks
Screen Size 7-inch HD Touchscreen 10.1-inch High-Res Touchscreen
Processing Reliable for standard guidance Faster, handles large prescription maps easily
Connectivity 1 CAN bus / 1 USB 3 CAN buses / 2 USB / 2 Camera inputs
Receiver NAV-500 or NAV-900 NAV-500 or NAV-900

Funding Your Future: TAMS 3 Grants

The Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) continues to be a game-changer for Irish farmers. Under the latest tranches in 2026, significant grant aid is available for GPS and precision equipment:

  • Standard Grant Rate: 40% for most applicants.

  • Enhanced Grant Rate: Up to 60% for Young Farmers (YFCIS), Women Farmers (WFCIS), and Organic Farmers.

  • Eligible Items: This includes GPS control units (like the GFX-1060), guidance systems, and ISOBUS hardware.

Investing now not only slashes your input bill but, with TAMS support, the payback period for a new Trimble system has never been shorter.

Ready to upgrade your spreading?

Don’t leave your margins in the headlands this year. Whether you want a simple guidance setup or a full ISOBUS integration, our team is here to help you find the right fit.